Wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles

ABSTRACT

A wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts ( 18 ) and other vehicles having a sender ( 1 ) that permits a user to remotely activate various accessories, such as headlights ( 2 ), turn signals ( 4 ), horns ( 5 ) and other accessories, such as radios, dome lights, etc., by sending signals via a wireless transmitter ( 9 ) located in the sender to controllers ( 10 ) located in each of the accessories. In addition, brake lights ( 3 ) may be activated and deactivated by a motion sensing means ( 10 ) in addition to being deactivated after a predetermined amount of time by a timer ( 11 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to golf carts, more particularly, a wireless light and accessory control system that allows a user to install accessories, such as head lights, brake lights, turn signals, a horn, etc., on a new or used golf cart and operate those accessories using a sender which transmits wireless signals to the controller.

Currently, many vehicles, particularly, golf carts, trailers, tractors, utility vehicles and all terrain vehicles, do not come equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals and/or horns. This lack of such safety equipment is because such vehicles are built for special purposes and uses. For instance, most golf carts are built to be used solely on golf courses where these types of safety accessories are not necessarily needed. However, many people buy golf carts to use not just as a means of transportation on golf courses but also around their neighborhoods and communities. This is especially true of people who live in golf or country club communities and own their own golf carts and drive their golf carts on streets from their homes to the golf course where others are operating automobiles and other vehicles. The lack of safety accessories, such as headlights, brake lights, turn signals and/or horns, on these golf carts pose serious safety risks and is against the law in certain areas of the country. Currently if someone wants to install accessories on a golf cart, the accessories must be hard-wired to controls mounted on the golf cart, thereby making installation difficult and expensive.

Therefore, a need exists for a safety accessory kit that may be easily installed on a vehicle so that the vehicle will be equipped with headlights, turn signals, brake lights, a horn and so forth, thereby being safer to operate on streets and around other vehicles.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

Pat. No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor Issue/Publication Date 2008/0088423 Liu Apr. 17, 2008 2007/0132573 Quach et al. Jun. 14, 2007 DE10345701 Bergdolt Apr. 21, 2005 2005/0115761 Dinda et al. Jun. 02, 2005 DE10358946 Elflein Jun. 09, 2005 2005/0274591 Kim Dec. 15, 2005 6,548,772 Liburdi Apr. 15, 2003 FR2819223 Alves et al. Jul. 12, 2002 PCT/DE99/03426 Besier et al. Jun. 02, 2000 5,900,803 Politz et al. May 04, 1999 5,719,555 Zeytoonjian et al. Feb. 17, 1998 PCT/DE97/02759 Peter et al. Jun. 11, 1998 4,859,982 Seaburg Aug. 22, 1989 PCT/US89/02287 Anderson Dec. 14, 1989 4,678,906 Rudi et al. Jul. 07, 1987 4,063,789 Kreisl Dec. 20, 1977 3,876,977 Ladewig Apr. 08, 1975

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles that can be easily installed on any golf cart.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles that makes a golf cart safer to operate on streets.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles that may be retrofitted to other vehicles, such as trailers, tractors, utility vehicles, mowers, all terrain vehicles and so forth.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles that will reduce wiring requirements by at least 33%.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles that will reduce installation time by 75%.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles having a sender that permits a user to remotely activate various accessories, such as headlights, side marker lights, horns, turn signals, and other accessories, such as auxiliary lights, radios, dome lights, etc., by sending wireless signals via a wireless transmitter located in the sender to a controller or multiple controllers electronically connected to the accessories. The wireless signals may be coded signals. In addition, the wireless transmitter may be a multi-frequency wireless transmitter. The sender has a plurality of buttons to activate and deactivate the various accessories on the golf cart. The sender may also have indicator lights to indicate when accessories are activated. The sender may be mounted on or anywhere near a steering wheel or operator. In addition, accessories may be activated or deactivated using timers, speedometers, motion sensing means and so forth. For example, a timer would deactivate turn signals after a predetermined amount of time. In addition, brake lights would be activated and deactivated by a motion sensing means, such as a motion sensor, a tilt switch, an accelerometer, a speedometer, etc. In addition, the brake lights may be deactivated after a predetermined amount of time by a timer. In addition to being used in golf carts, the system may also be used on other vehicles, such as trailers, tractors, utility vehicles, all terrain vehicles and so forth.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sender of a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a golf cart having a sender and accessories of the wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles mounted thereon;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a golf cart having a sender and accessories of the wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles mounted thereon; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

-   1. sender 11. timer -   2. head light 12. wireless transmitter -   3. brake light 13. controller -   4. turn signal 14. power source -   5. horn 15. steering wheel -   6. radio 16. push button -   7. dome light 17. indicator light -   8. emergency light 18. golf cart -   9. side marker light -   10. motion sensing means

With reference to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles is shown. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles is comprised of a sender I that permits a user to remotely activate various accessories, such as headlights 2, brake lights 3, turn signals 4, a horn 5, a radio 6, a dome light 7, emergency lights 8, side marker lights 9 and so forth, by sending wireless signals via a wireless transmitter 12 located in the sender 1 to a controller 13 that is electronically connected to each of the accessories. The wireless transmitter 12 may be a single or multi-frequency wireless transmitter. Further, the wireless signals may be coded for each accessory being activated or deactivated. In addition, the accessories may be activated or deactivated using timers 11, or a motion sensing means 10. For example, after a predetermined amount of time, a timer 11 located in the controller 13 would deactivate the turn signals 4. A signal from a motion sensing means 10, such as a motion sensor, a tilt switch, an accelerometer, a speedometer, etc., that sends a signal to the controller 13 or directly to the brake lights 3, as shown in FIG. 5, would activate and deactivate the brake lights 3. In addition, a timer 11 located in the controller 13 may deactivate the brake lights 3 after a predetermined amount of time. The controller 13 and accessories would be powered by a power source 14, such as an internal battery or a golf cart battery. The sender 1 would also be powered by a power source 14, such as an internal battery or a golf cart battery

Now referring to FIG. 2, a front view of a sender 1 of a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles is shown. The sender 1 may be mounted to a steering wheel 15, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or in the vicinity of the steering wheel, such as to the dash board, console, roof, steering column, etc. using various attachment means, such as brackets, screws, clamps, glue, hook and loop fasteners and so forth. The sender 1 permits a user to remotely activate the various accessories of the wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles by wireless signals via a wireless transmitter 12 located in the sender 1 to a controller 13 that is electronically connected to each of the accessories. The wireless transmitter 12 may be a single or multi-frequency wireless transmitter. Further, the wireless signals may be coded for each accessory being activated or deactivated. The sender 1 includes a display having a plurality of push buttons 16 to activate and deactivate the various accessories connected to the controller 13. The sender 1 may also have indicator lights 17 that illuminate to indicate when accessories are activated, for example indicator lights 17 may be programmed to blink when the turn signals 4 are activated.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a front perspective view of a golf cart 18 having a sender 1 and accessories of the wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles mounted thereon is shown. Head lights 2 are mounted on the front of a golf cart 18 so that a user may operate the golf cart 18 safely in the dark. In addition turn signals 4 are mounted on the front and back of the golf cart 18 so that a user may communicate to third parties which direction the user is planning on turning. Brake lights 3 are mounted to the back of the golf cart 18 to warn third parties that the golf cart 18 is coming to a stop. The sender 1 is mounted to a steering wheel 15 and activates the accessories via wireless signals sent to the controller 13, as shown in FIG. 1.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a rear perspective view of a golf cart 18 having a sender 1 and accessories of the wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles mounted thereon is shown. Turn signals 4 are mounted on the back of a golf cart 18 so that a user may communicate to third parties which direction the user is planning on turning. Brake lights 3 are mounted to the back of the golf cart 18 to warn third parties that the golf cart 18 is coming to a stop. In addition, a radio 6, dome light 7, emergency light 8 and side marker light 9 are mounted to the golf cart 18. The sender 1 is mounted to a steering wheel 15 and activates the accessories via wireless signals sent to the controller 13, as shown in FIG. 1.

Finally, referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram of a wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles is shown. A signal from a motion sensing means 10, such as a motion sensor, a tilt switch, an accelerometer, a speedometer, etc., sends a signal directly to the brake lights 3 that activates or deactivates the brake lights 3. In addition, a timer 11 deactivates the brake lights 3 after a predetermined amount of time.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings. 

1. A wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles comprising: a sender mounted on a vehicle wherein said sender has at least one wireless transmitter for sending wireless signals; a controller for receiving wireless signals from said at least one wireless transmitter; at least one accessory mounted on a vehicle connected to said controller; and at least one power source for powering said wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles.
 2. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said at least one accessory is a headlight.
 3. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said at least one accessory is a turn signal.
 4. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said at least one accessory is a brake light.
 5. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles claim 1 wherein: said at least one accessory is a horn.
 6. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said at least one accessory is a radio.
 7. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said at least one accessory is a dome light.
 8. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said at least one accessory is an emergency light.
 9. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said at least one accessory is a side marker light.
 10. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said sender further comprises at least one push button for activating and deactivating said at least one accessory.
 11. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said sender further comprises at least one indicator light for indicating if the at least one accessory is activated.
 12. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 further comprising: at least one timer for deactivating said at least one accessory after a predetermined amount of time.
 13. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 3 further comprising: at least one timer for deactivating said at least one accessory after a predetermined amount of time.
 14. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 further comprising: at least one motion sensing means for activating and deactivating said at least one accessory.
 15. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 4 further comprising: at least one motion sensing means for activating and deactivating said at least one accessory.
 16. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 14 further comprising: at least one timer for deactivating said at least one accessory after a predetermined amount of time.
 17. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 15 further comprising: at least one timer for deactivating said at least one accessory after a predetermined amount of time.
 18. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said wireless signals sent from at least one wireless transmitter are coded signals.
 19. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 1 wherein: said at least one wireless transmitter is a multi-frequency wireless transmitter.
 20. A wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles comprising: at least one brake light; a motion sensing means for activating and deactivating the at least one brake light.
 21. The wireless light and accessory control system for golf carts and other vehicles of claim 20 further comprising: at least one timer for deactivating said at least one brake light after a predetermined amount of time. 